Eli’s Sons Misuse Their Sacred Office

2:12The sonsof Eliwere wickedmen.25 They did notrecognizethe Lord’sauthority.262:13Now the priestswould always treat the peoplein the following way:27 Whenever anyonewas makinga sacrifice, while the meatwas boiling, the priest’sattendantwould comewith a three-prongedfork28in his hand.2:14He would jabit into the basin, kettle, caldron, orpot, and everythingthatthe forkbrought upthe priestwould takefor himself. This is whatthey used to doto allthe Israelites29when they camethereto Shiloh.

2:15Evenbeforethey burnedthefat, the priest’sattendantwould comeand sayto the personwho was making the sacrifice, “Handover some meatfor the priestto roast! He won’ttakeboiledmeatfromyou, but onlyraw.”302:16If the individualsaidto him, “Firstlet the fatbe burned away, and then takefor yourself whateveryouwish,” he would say, “No!31 Hand it overright now! Ifyou don’t, I will takeit forcibly!”

2:18Now Samuelwas ministeringbeforethe Lord. The boywas dressedin a linenephod.2:19His motherused to makehim a smallrobeand bring it upto him atregular intervals whenshe would go upwithher husbandto makethe annual sacrifice.2:20Eliwould blessElkanahand his wifesaying, “May the Lordraise upfor you descendants33fromthiswomanto replacethe one that she34 dedicatedto the Lord.” Then they would goto their35 home.2:21Sothe Lordgraciouslyattendedto Hannah, and she was able to conceiveand gave birthto threesonsand twodaughters. The boySamuelgrewup at the Lord’ssanctuary.36

2:22Now Eliwas veryoldwhen he heardabout everythingthathis sonsused to do to allthe people of Israel37and how they used to havesexwith38the womenwho were stationedat the entranceto the tentof meeting.2:23He saidto them, “Whydoyou behavein this way? For Ihearabouttheseevilthingsfrom allthese39people.2:24This ought notto be,40 my sons! Forthe reportthatIhearcirculatingamong the Lord’speopleis notgood.2:25Ifa mansinsagainst a man, onemay appealto Godon his behalf. But ifa mansinsagainst the Lord, whothen will intercedefor him?” But Eli’s sons41 would notlistento their father, forthe Lordhad decided42to killthem.

2:30Thereforethe Lord, the Godof Israel, says, ‘I really did say48that your houseand your ancestor’shousewouldserve49me forever.’ But nowthe Lordsays, ‘May it never be!50 ForI will honorthose who honorme, but those who despiseme will be cursed!2:31In fact, daysare comingwhen I will removeyour strength51and the strength52of your father’shouse. There will not bean old manin your house!2:32You will seetroublein my dwelling place!53 Israelwill experience blessings,54but there will notbean old manin your55 housefor alltime.562:33Any oneof you that I do notcut offfrommy altar, I will causeyour57 eyesto fail58and will cause you grief.59Allof those bornto your family60will diein the primeof life.612:34Thiswill be a confirming signfor you thatwill be fulfilledthrough your twosons,62Hophniand Phinehas: in a singledaythey bothwill die!2:35Then I will raise upfor myself a faithfulpriest. He will dowhat is in my heartand soul. I will buildfor him a securedynasty63and he will servemy chosen onefor alltime.642:36Everyonewho remainsin your housewill cometo bowbefore him for a littlemoney65and for a scrapof bread. Eachwill say, ‘Assignme toa priestly taskso I can eata scrapof bread.’”